Algerian boxer Imane Khelif will fight for an Olympic gold medal on Friday after comprehensively winning her semi-final against Janjaem Suwannapheng.
Welterweight Khelif is one of two boxers competing at Paris 2024 despite being disqualified from last year’s World Championships by the International Boxing Associatio (IBA) for failing gender eligibility tests.
Debate over thr 25-year-old’s participation has been rife since her first-round win over Andrea Cassini, which lasted only 48 seconds after the Italian withdrew following a punch in the nose.
Khelif was dominant in her display against her Thai opponent on Tuesday night, winning by a unanimous decision.
OFF TO THE FINAL !
🇩🇿 Imane Khelif with a resounding victory to continue her march towards the gold medal
We keep moving 🤫 pic.twitter.com/yIKNEfqFvg
— Algeria FC (@Algeria_FC) August 6, 2024
It sealed progression to her first Olympic final having won bronze in Tokyo three years ago.
Khelif will face China’s Liu Yang as she looks to become the first ever Algerian boxing champion.
“I am focused,” the 25-year-old said.
“I am here for a good performance and my dream. I will give everything I have for the final.”
